To Catch A Dream

Jonah Part Twenty Nine

When I spend time with Bailey I realize how lucky I am to have a mom who is alive and well and cares about me. Dad too. As much as I hate him right now, I appreciate all the things he has taught me.

Dear Mom,

As much as it hates me to tell you this, as much as I would love to keep this from you.. But it's selfish of me to do this, just for the benefit of keeping a fake family together. I can't live with the guilt. I wanted to tell you that Dad isn't very true to our family. And I mean it. I know you love him. And he's in love too. Just not with you anymore. I promise I will help you through this because it is difficult for me too. You can count on me. The reason I am writing this letter is that I couldn't bring myself to tell you this in person. To physically see your heart shattering into thousands of pieces in front of my face. Any son would be devastated to see their parents going through this. Please don't make this too big of a deal.

Love,

Your Son

Jonah.

So I wrote the letter. I'm delivering it today on my way to school, so mom doesn't get suspicious. Which means she'll probably have it in her hands by the time I get back from school. The last time I'll ever see my Dad.

...

It's difficult for me to concentrate on anything today. I don't know what to do during math, science, nor PE. Several teachers have asked me to visit the school counselor. I, of course, declined. I couldn't even pay attention to Bailey, who was staring at me as a hawk looks at its prey. After school, a dillydally, to stop me from reaching home. Bailey walks up to me and says

"What's wrong with you? You're usually Mr.Perfect, raising his hand for every question, asking for help for every statement the teacher makes,"

"Forget it," I tell her.

I push past the whole student crowd, this time not afraid to witness what happens in front of me at home.. Wherever.

When I get there, the house sounds eerily silent. Or maybe that's just my imagination playing tricks on me.

I slowly push open the door to find all of my Dad's stuff still at the house. But. My moms aren't. Ans Brooke's either. I am shocked. My mom chose Brooke. Brooke. Over me? I guess I always thought that when parents told their kids they love them equally, there was always a plot twist. Dad walks into the living room looking stressed out.

"Jonah. Sit down. We need to talk about a few things that have happened today," he tells me in a grave voice.

I sit.

"Look. Today in the afternoon your mother received a letter. She would not tell me who sent it. In the letter, apparently, it says that I have been unfaithful to her and the rest of our family. I may be a cheat, but I will not be a liar. I will admit to this accusation. And I did then. Your mother hung up on me and took her stuff out of the house. Brooke, who was out looking for jobs, came home to an empty house. She too moved out. Where to, I'm not sure. I have some suspicions that your mother may have left a note of some sort, as to where she was. Right now, as for you, you will be staying with me and my girlfriend here, while I sort things out,"

He walks out of the room, muttering under his breath about bills.

It takes me a while to process what he just told me. Mom and Brooke left. This is even worse than keeping a family who is not true to one another unhappily together. I have no mother. I have no mother. I never thought this day would come. Even when Mom was hospitalized I had some hope stored deep within me that she would survive because no matter how weak she was, my Mom was NOT a loser. But now I have that same feeling for a different reason. She was never coming back. And that's where my confidence lies in.